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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                            FEBRUARY 13, 2026       |  The Indian Eye 22

                    Defying –40°F, Chicago Hosts a Global

                 Celebration of Achievement and Couture

                                International Achievers Awards & International Fashion Gala 2026

            OUR BUREAU
            Chicago, IL
                  raving  one  of  Chicago’s  harshest  winter
                  nights in decades, with temperatures plung-
            Bing close to –40°F, global leaders, entrepre-
            neurs, artists, and changemakers gathered for the
            International  Achievers  Awards  &  International
            Fashion Gala 2026—an evening that transformed
            the frozen city into a warm stage of inspiration, el-
            egance, and cross-cultural celebration.
                Despite the extreme cold, the atmosphere in-
            side the venue was charged with energy and op-
            timism  as  the  event  unfolded  under  the  poised
            stewardship  of  renowned  anchor  Prachi  Jaitly,
            who  served  as  Master  of  Ceremony.  With  grace
            and  confidence,  Jaitly  guided  a  diverse  and  dis-
            tinguished audience through a night that blended
            achievement, fashion, culture, and community im-
            pact into a single global narrative.
                The  gala  was  spearheaded  by  Meena  Israni,
            Founder of Being Muskaan Events, a Dubai-based
            company  known  for  curating  high-impact  plat-
            forms  such  as  the  Gulf  Achievers  Awards,  Golf
            Achievers  Award,  and  MasterChef  Golf.  Widely
            respected  for  combining  prestige  with  purpose,
            Israni has built a reputation for bringing together
            leaders and changemakers in meaningful forums.
            The Chicago gala marked her debut major event in
            the United States, signalling the expanding global
            footprint of her vision.
                From the opening moments, Prachi Jaitly set  was  joined  by  Iftekhar  Shareef,  the  world’s  first   At  the  heart  of  the  evening  was  the  awards
            the  tone  by  acknowledging  the  scale  and  ambi-  Overseas Citizen of India, honoured for decades  ceremony,  which  recognised  individuals  and  or-
            tion of the event and recognising Israni’s leader-  of diplomatic, cultural, and bridge-building contri-  ganisations whose work has made a tangible global
            ship. “Taking on a project of this scale—bringing  butions across continents.              impact. Tatha was named Best Emerging Global
            together so many achievers under one shared vi-  Fashion emerged as one of the evening’s most  Skincare Brand for founder Divita Kanoria’s plant
            sion—is no small feat,” Jaitly said, congratulating  powerful  storytelling  elements,  celebrating  her-  stem cell innovation inspired by personal healing
            the founder on the success of her US debut and  itage  while  embracing  modernity.  Amitha  Fash-  and  sustainability.  Prachi  Jaitly  herself  was  hon-
            wishing her continued impact in the years ahead.  ions, led by designer Kavitha Rao, presented an  oured with Excellence in Global Media & Arts for
                The  presence  of  prominent  public  figures  Indo-Western and bridal collection that seamlessly  her coverage of landmark global moments includ-
            lent weight and credibility to the occasion. Chief  blended Kanjivaram, Paithani, and Banarasi silks  ing the G20 and the Ram Mandir inauguration.
            Guests included Jawaharial Williams, Democratic  with contemporary silhouettes. Suchita Pandey fol-  Canadian  International  Scholars  School,  led
            member of the Illinois House of Representatives  lowed with a showcase of classic Indian craftsman-  by Gurinder S. Saini, received the award for Best
            from  the  10th  District,  known  for  his  advocacy  ship, featuring Gota Patti, Chikankari, Bandhani,  School for Global Excellence and Diversity, while
            on  healthcare  access,  economic  opportunity,  in-  Leheriya, and Danka work, while Neena Fashion’s  ROVIS Management Solutions was recognised as
            frastructure, and public safety. He was joined by  “Shining Stars” collection delivered bold, modern  Best  Global  Management  &  Business  Solutions
            Harry Benton, Representative of the 97th District,  interpretations rooted in traditional textiles.  Provider for its work across more than 23 countries
            whose journey from union ironworker to legislator   The cultural programme was further enriched  since 2013. Amjadullah Khan earned the Voice of
            has  made  him  a  symbol  of  grassroots  empower-  by  performances  that  resonated  deeply  with  the  the People Award for his grassroots justice initia-
            ment and resilience.                         audience.  Dancer  Minoo  Vasudevan  captivated  tives as a two-time Corporator and host of Praja
                Guests of Honor reflected the global and com-  attendees with an expressive performance marked  Darbar.
            munity-driven ethos of the evening. Ajeet Singh,  by grace and emotional depth. Musical highlights   Hafsa was named Best Influencer of the Year,
            President of Midway Business Broker and the In-  included a live performance by S. Shubham, hon-  recognised for her work as a TEDx speaker, PhD
            dian American Business Council, was recognised  oured as Best Bollywood Playback Singer. A self-  scholar, entrepreneur, and advocate for women-led
            for growing his firm from $5 million to $87 million  taught artist who began singing at the age of eight,  businesses  and  community  empowerment.  Other
            in sales and for leading the landmark #ISTAND-  Shubham’s  journey—from  early  devotionals  to  honours included Rani’s Nails & Spa as Celebri-
            FORPEACE  event  at  the  UIC  Forum,  which  viral acclaim with “Madine Chale” on 104.5 Vibe  ty Salon of the Year under Umaima’s leadership;
            brought together more than 3,000 participants. He  FM—struck a powerful chord with the audience.             Continued on next page... >>

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